Baby mockingbird --too small, or learning to fly?

[crispini]

There is quite the drama on my front porch at the moment. Two parental-type mockingbirds are hopping around making a great deal of defensive noise. They certainly seem upset. A careful peek out the front door and I see a baby mockingbird in the corner of my porch. I've seen him fly about 2 feet into the air but then come back down. He's got pretty good-sized wings but not much of a tail, and seems fairly well grown but not all THAT grown, obviously. Should I intervene and try and put him back somewhere, or is he fine with them there to protect him? Has he fallen out of a nest or is he just trying to forge out on his own? His parents seem very concerned.

[tainted_chimp]

1. I've had this same experience...

...only, the baby bird was a bit younger.


I would bring him in at night, and place him in a basket (folded towel on the bottom) and cover the basket itself with another towel.

Then first thing in the morning - I'm talking, at dawn - I would put him back outside in a covered-ish area, safe from the eyes of predators.

His parents would hear his chirping, and come and feed him.

(of course, I would keep an eye out to make sure of this!)


this went on for a couple of days until he had learned to fly with the best of em.

Good luck to you!

[XemaSab]

2. If his wing feathers are mostly grown in

just leave him alone.

He's still learning to fly, and he'll be okay.

[1]

3. go out there and shout some encouragement at him (mockingbird style)...

"YOU CALL THOSE WINGS?"

"YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO BIRDS! FLY! DAMN YOU. FLY!"

"AND WHAT ABOUT THAT TAIL? DISGUSTING!"


you know, like that...

[distantearlywarning]

4. This is how a lot of birds operate

The babies get to a point where they're too big for the nest, but they can't quite fly yet. So out they go, but the parents keep an eye on them, encourage, and feed them on the ground for a few days until they get the hang of getting along in birdie life by themselves.

Last week we had a similar situation with a young cardinal and her cardinal parents. She wasn't flying very well, but was out of the nest, and they hovered around her and brought her food for a week until she figured stuff out herself. There wasn't anything wrong with her - she was just in the "late teenage" stage of development.

[marzipanni]

5. Judging by the mockingbirds I've heard singing all night

Ma & Pa Mockingbird are up at all hours and will undoubtedly keep an eye on the fledgling(s), and bring worms & bugs.

[Duer 157099]

6. If you take him in, his parents will probably go nuts with worry

But I know from experience that they will be there the next morning ready to start the day's lessons again.

Unless you know that there are predators like cats nearby, you probably don't need to worry. The baby will find a bush to hide under and the parents will keep an eye on him and threaten anyone who gets too close.

It's so hard to watch it though. If it were me, I'd probably take the little guy in for the evening and take him back out the next day. (I've done this before)

[crispini]

7. Update: He's still there.

Right by the front door, which means I can't go out the front door for awhile. Also, my cats are right by the front window watching; I don't know if the parents can see the cats but I'm wondering if I should put a towel up or something to keep them from staring out the window, although they're having a great time.

I hope he learns to fly soon! The whole "not using my front door" thing could be kind of annoying.